On the RinkAtlas Facebook Page, we have recently talked about arenas which are in danger of ceasing operations or that have unexpectedly shut down. We do this because we believe it’s important for the hockey community to hear news of this nature as soon as possible.
In the course of reading about the Reading Royals which is coached by a friend of mine from RPI, Kirk MacDonald, I learned that the ECHL is losing the Elmira Jackals because the franchise owner is ceasing operations.
This is sad news by itself. But linked to that story is a story from the March 24, 2017 edition of The Elmira Star Gazette, which says that First Arena has changed hands, and is now in private ownership but that the sale is contingent on the new owner finding a team to replace the Jackals.
RinkAtlas is considering creating an Endangered Arenas List for arenas that we consider in danger of closing. Although First Arena has a buyer, the buyer needs to make a deal with the ECHL, the Federal Hockey League, or some similar league to get a franchise in place for the 2017-2018 season.
I’ll try to provide updates when we learn more about the situation at First Arena in Elmira.